Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (CURCA)

Siena College values classroom learning and high-impact, hands-on learning. That’s why we established our Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (CURCA). CURCA ensures that undergraduate research and scholarship opportunities are available to as many students as possible, regardless of major.

Is CURCA for everyone? Yes! CURCA is available to students in every major, and our research and creative topics are as unique as our students. Students can select their own topic or join an existing research team. Past creative programs have focused in areas such as theatre, design and photography. Recent summer research themes include “Taking Socio-Economic Status Out of the Student Success Equation,” “Implications of Urbanization on Hydrology,” and “Media Bingeing: A Qualitative Study of Psychological Influences.”

Get Engaged. Get Connected. Get Results.

The opportunity to make lasting connections is a huge advantage of CURCA. Our students have presented their research and creative projects at conferences across the globe, providing experience and exposure that will be an advantage throughout their lives.

During the past few years, Siena College has been using faculty-led undergraduate research to provide students with the tools they’ll need to succeed in graduate courses at top-tier universities. With the launch of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, or CURCA, Siena College will take the steps needed to become a leader in student engagement and affective education.